The Nuggets and Andre Iguodala: What they're saying

Already a perennial playoff team, the Denver Nuggets got even better last week when they took part in the four-team, 12-player mega-trade that also included the Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers.

The deal brought All-Star and Olympian Andre Iguodala from Philadelphia to Denver and sent Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington and two future draft picks or Orlando.

The Lakers got the biggest name in the trade, acquiring six-time All-Star center Dwight Howard, but Nuggets executives Josh Kroenke and Masai Ujiri were widely praised for improving Denver’s roster.

With no shortage of analysis on the Internet, here is a compilation of what the local and national were saying about the Nuggets in the wake of the Aug. 10 trade (click the headline for the complete article):

Does Andre Iguodala make the Nuggets contenders?
"Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler, JaVale McGee and Jordan Hamilton are 25 years old or younger. Even without adding anything else, another summer of work and another year of development should make this group noticeably better. But adding Iguodala is even better, because he makes everyone’s life easier."- Beckley Mason, ESPN.com

Dwight Howard trade leaves questions for Lakers, Magic and more
"This will be a dangerous team with a high ceiling, a good team with a history of annoying the Lakers and Thunder. And if the Nuggets appear to be falling short of that ceiling, the front office has shown a willingness to tweak in ways that surprise the rest of the league."- Zach Lowe, SI.com

Rave reviews for new Denver Nugget Andre Iguodala
"To understand the enigma that is "Iggy," just look at a two-week period last January. In back-to-back games he scored 23 and 21 points. There was a game against Denver during that period in which he had 11 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists and nary a turnover. Another game he had 11 assists, and just one turnover. And he capped off the fortnight fittingly — a triple-double in which he had 10 points, 10 rebounds and, yes, 10 assists."- Benjamin Hochman, Denver Post

Nuggets Make Out In Howard Trade, Too
"The Nuggets also got options, which is also a problem for the rest of the league. George Karl with several possibilities among forwards and wings and the ability to play big or small? Karl can take capitalize on basketball chemistry and general manager Masai Ujiri can take advantage of trade chips, so Denver is in great position for another step forward after what would have been a 47-win season with a typical schedule."- Scott Howard-Cooper, NBA.com

Grades sheets: Dwight Howard deal
"Give (the Nuggets) an A for Andre. Supported by his play in the Olympics, Iguodala remains one of the best wing players in the league. He fits right into what George Karl loves to do -- create offense through defense and use athleticism in the open court. Iggy should be a perfect fit and make the Nuggets even more intriguing next season."- Israel Gutierrez, ESPN.com

Oklahoma City Thunder: Nuggets just got better
"So this is a great trade — Denver jettisoned three players, none of whom will make your heart stop — for that rarest of player. An underrated all-star and Olympian."- Berry Tramel, The Oklahoman

The London Chronicles, Vol. 6: The Mailbag That Wasn't
"In less than two years, (the Nuggets) went from watching a moody ball stopper who didn't want to be there (Carmelo) to an entertaining nucleus of Ty Lawson, Andre Iguodala, JaVale McGee, Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler, Andre Miller and … (wait for it) … Timofey Mozgov! Love the defensive potential, love the athleticism, love the mix of personalities. That's a nice team.- Bill Simmons, Grantland.com

Lakers win Howard sweepstakes
"I appreciate what Denver and Philadelphia did. Rather than whine about the unfairness of the biggest stars going to the biggest markets, they decided to get something out of the process for themselves."- J.A. Adande, ESPN.com

D12 deal a head-scratcher for Magic
"I love this deal for the Nuggets. Loveitloveitloveit. Iguodala is a hellacious wing stopper, the perfect complement for Danilo Gallinari, and his transition play will only be more terrifying surrounded by all that speed in Denver."- John Hollinger, ESPN.com